Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Douglas County judge sequesters jury in double homicide case

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A judge has sequestered the jury after a brawl broke out in the Douglas County Courthouse as trial began in the case of a January 2015 double homicide at a northwest Omaha party.

Courthouse security officials say more than 30 people were involved in the fight Wednesday morning, and four were arrested. There were no significant injuries in the brawl.

The fight involved family and friends of the defendant, Charles Trotter, and of the shooting victims, 26-year-olds Dexter Joseph and Marcel Lovejoy. Trotter is accused of fatally shooting Joseph and Lovejoy on Jan. 3, 2015.

The judge said he hopes isolating the jury will prevent the incident from affecting the jurors' ability to hear the case fairly.

Security has been increased on the floor.

___

Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.